The Book Club

The Book Club

The Book Club, hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett, brings the historical context behind famous books to life. Each week, the hosts explore a classic or contemporary title, unpacking the world in which it was written and the story behind its author. This is not your typical literature podcast: The Book Club educates AND entertains, leaving you knowing some of the greatest stories ever told.

Episodes

October 26, 2026 • 80 mins
How did Stephen King's stay in a ghostly hotel in Colorado inspire The Shining? Is Stanley Kubrick's iconic movie a faithful adaptation? And, is King a good writer? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Shining, and the world it was born of. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance a...
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Who was Fyodor Dostoevsky? Was White Nights his masterpiece? And, how did the world of 19th century Russia influence his writing? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of White Nights, and the world it was born of. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance account required to receive cashbac...
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October 12, 2026 • 94 mins
How did the paranoia of 1950s McCarthyist America shape Sylvia Plath? Why was The Bell Jar the poet's only novel? And, what was the truth of her relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Bell Jar, and the world it was born of. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, any...
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Why did James Bond appeal to 1950s Britain? Is Goldfinger hopelessly out of date? And, who really inspired the titular villain? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Goldfinger, and the world it was born of. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance account required to receive cashback ...
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Why was the book so heavily censored on publication? Is the novel gratuitously violent?  And, what happened when Tabby met Bret Easton Ellis? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of American Psycho, and the world it was born of. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance account requir...
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September 21, 2026 • 82 mins
Why is Jane Eyre a romantic classic? Who was Charlotte Brontë? And, what social critiques lie in the heart of the novel? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Jane Eyre, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna balance account required to receive...
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How did the First World War affect the British soldier survivors? Is this pastoral novella one of the UK's best books? How did J L Carr's Yorkshire upbringing impact the setting and tone of the story? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Month In The Country, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your mone...
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How did William Golding’s experience in the Second World War inspire Lord Of The Flies? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what does it say it about the fragile nature of society? Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Lord Of The Flies...
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Who was Vladimir Nabokov? Why is Lolita so controversial? And, what was the reaction to its publication? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the story behind Lolita, and the novel itself. Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ ...
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How did Daphne du Maurier use her own experience to write the chilling events of Rebecca? Who is the sinister Mrs Danvers? And, what really happened to Rebecca? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Rebecca, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Download the Klarna app to stay on top of your money, so you can think about, well, anything else. Klarna ...
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How did the Spanish Civil War inspire one of Ernest Hemingway’s greatest novels? Why was Hemingway so captivated by Spain? And, were the characters of For Whom The Bell Tolls inspired by real people? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the context behind Hemingway's writing, and the world of For Whom The Bell Tolls. Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-descr...
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How does Aldous Huxley satirise roaring twenties America? Is a Brave New World more realistic than 1984? And, what is the novel's Shakespearean connection? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Brave New World, and the novel itself. Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection-description/. Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.co...
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What does My Brilliant Friend tell us about the dark underbelly of Italian society after the Second World War? Who is the mysterious Elena Ferrante? And, how did she craft a heartbreaking parable of escape and love? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind My Brilliant Friend, and the world it was born of. Exclusions apply. Learn more at https://www.klarna.com/uk/buyer-protection...
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How did the First World War inspire The 39 Steps? Why did John Buchan set the novel in Scotland? And, is the dashing protagonist Richard Hannay, a model for later Spy heroes? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The 39 Steps, and the world it was born of. Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newslet...
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Which books should you take on your summer holiday? How have some of Dominic and Tabby’s favourite destinations shaped these novels? And, what makes a summer classic? Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/  Instagram: @bookclubpodhq TikTok: @theb...
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How does Madeline Miller re-work Greek mythology to explore women’s experience? Is Circe the best fantasy novel of the 2010s? And, why do we remain captivated by the world of ancient Greece? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Circe, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. You can order Circe and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosoc...
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How did Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s family story shape his only novel, The Leopard? Why is The Leopard considered an Italian masterpiece? And, who is the sexiest man ever written? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Leopard, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Bo...
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How did Kenneth Grahame come up with the idea for The Wind In The Willows? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what character would Tabby and Dominic be? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Wind In The Willows, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. You can order The Wind In The Willows and explore our favourite Folio books at...
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What real-world historical events and figures inspired the political conflicts in Westeros? Is George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones better than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? And, is it likely that George R.R. Martin will ever finish the A Song of Ice and Fire series? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Game of Thrones, the world it was born of, a...
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How did Louisa May Alcott break social and literary conventions? Is Little Women the first coming of age story in a novel? And, what do Tabby and Dominic think of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film adaption? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Little Women, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: thebookclub@goalhanger.com For analysis, book r...
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